Cyprus to probe state prosecutor's leaked emails to Russia

Nov. 29, 2017

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus' government on Wednesday appointed a top civil servant to probe leaked emails that have raised concerns they may have influenced ongoing court cases involving Russia.

Deputy government spokesman Viktoras Papadopoulos said the island nation's customs department chief will head the disciplinary probe targeting senior state prosecutor Eleni Loizidou. The investigation is expected to be concluded within 60 days.

"The government has nothing to say because it's understood it cannot comment while an investigation is underway," Papadopoulos told reporters.

The appointment of an investigator was requested by Attorney General Costas Clerides, who red-flagged the leaked emails on Monday a day after they appeared in Cypriot media.

He said in a statement that Loizidou's emails to Russian law officials may have gone too far in how much information they contained on cases where Russian authorities had asked for Cyprus' help.